GreenBox Continues to Save the World, One Pizza at a Time

We have all had that moment where out of convenience, or desperation, we call up the local pizza joint and order a pie. And why not? Pizza covers all (or most) of the food groups, is satisfying, and can be eaten anywhere. The only caveat is that manky cardboard pizza box in which your instant meal is delivered. Awkward, bulky, and quite gross to look at after you’re done devouring your Hawaiian or meat lover’s special, that tomato sauce and cooking oil-stained box may not be compostable or recyclable.

But never mind, Ecovention’s GreenBox, or the “pizza box of the 21^st century” as described by Fox News, is continuing to make a difference in the pizza industry—six years after we first touted this innovation here on Triple Pundit. This recyclable pizza box has its own Twitter account, has been showcased on Rachael Ray’s show and keeps you updated on the latest pizza creations on its blog. And of course, in case we forget, it’s 100 percent recyclable.

The GreenBox is one of these innovations that make you slap your head and cuss to yourself, “Why the **** didn’t I think of that?” Its genius is in its simplicity. The top of the GreenBox simply breaks down into four individual plates (no flimsy napkins or Styrofoam plates needed), while the bottom folds into a handy storage container, holding next morning’s breakfast. Say good-bye to plastic wrap, aluminum foil and those annoying disposable plates. The only question mark remaining is what to do with those pesky little packets of Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper.

The latest pizza joint to jump on the GreenBox bandwagon is Pizza Pie-er, the venerable New England pizza house with locations in Boston, Cambridge and just an hour down I-95, Providence.

“At Pizza Pie-er, we pride ourselves in providing a unique and endless selection of specialty pizzas. It is only fitting to carry a one-of-a-kind pizza box that is just as good for the Earth as it is useful for our valued patrons,” said Bahman Jalili, owner of Pizza Pie-er. “The GreenBox is part of our larger eco-friendly initiative: at Pizza Pie-er, if customers bring in any used pizza box, we recycle it and give the patron $2 off a large pie.”

Dubbed one of the 15 most brilliant ideas of 2010 and scoring press all over the map, the GreenBox is one of the more sustainable ideas to come out of the fast food industry—it has far more staying power than a salad at a burger joint or a sandwich chain growing its own lettuce at a restaurant. Now it’s time to put the pressure on some national chains to get serious about being more responsible, stock these boxes and support recycling.

“We are thrilled to have the GreenBox featured at Pizza Pie-er – a remarkable restaurant chain that serves so much more than just pizza. It is a pleasure to be a part of their exceptional vision,” said Jennifer Wright, Co-Founder of Ecovention, LLC. Now it’s time for Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, Little Caesars and CPK to make this idea scale and join in on the recyclable, sustainable fun.

Image credit: GreenBox/Ecovention LLC

After a year in the Middle East and Latin America, Leon Kaye is based in California again. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter. Other thoughts of his are on his site, greengopost.com.